Humidifier unit



April 20, 1937. F. MANNING HUMIDIFIER UNIT Filed March 2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

BY I

@A RNEY April 20, 1937; F. MANNING HUMIDIFIER UNIT Filed March 2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W m 0 WW .w .A 1, WM. 56 w v w W K 2 7 2 4 .1 WW MW patented 2% T193? Application March 2, 1935, Serial No. 9,6116% ii (Ella.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier unit comprising motor driven humidifying means, and having, a substantial water holding capacity, which is of desirable form, and includes improvements especially adapting it for use in omce and residence rooms as a part of the movable equipment or furniture of such rooms. My improved unit in its preferred form comprises a water receiving or H) reservoir member, open at its upper end to receive the neck of an inverted water bottle which is removably mounted on said reservoir member,

the bottle so mounted, providing the bulk of the water holding capacity of the unit.

' 15 More specific objects of the invention are to provide a humidifier unit of the kind specified which is compact and pleasing in form, and light enough in weight to permit of its ready manual movement from one position to another as condim tions make desirable, and which includes a chassis or supporting body, upon which all of the humidifying apparatus is mounted, and a casing which provides alight but suitable strong and rigid enclosure for the apparatus and in which said 5 chassis or support is removably mounted, said casing including parts readily separable for water bottle replacements, and-to provide all desirable access to the humidifying apparatus normally enclosed and hidden by the casing. i

30 The improved unit is composed mainly of sheet metal parts, and is characterized by features facilitating its construction of sheet metal parts which are desirably light weight and simple in form.

35 The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out ;with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, and the ad- 40 vantages possessed by it, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Of the drawings:

4.5 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a humidifier unit of preferred form in its normal condition;

Fig. 2 is a. section through the unit on the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4 is a section on the broken line 4-4 of Fi 2;

Fig. 5'is a perspective view of the unit with the separable parts of the casing displaced from one 55 another.

The humidifying unit in the preferred form shown in the drawings, comprises a water receiving or reservoir member 6 in the form of a cupshaped member of sheet metal. The reservoir i is provided at its open upper end with a seat 5 for an inverted water bottle 3. Each seat may well be formed by a rubber ring 2 cemented to a rim enlargement of the upper end of the corresponding reservoir. The neck of the bottle 3 errtends down into the member l, and the shoulder 10 portionof the bottle rests on the seat 2. The latter is notched as indicated at 2A to provide an air passage to maintain atmospheric pressure above the water level in the reservoir 5. The reservoir I is connected at a point below the normal water level therein, by a pipe 4 to a cup shaped receptacle or reservoir 5, which forms the water supply chamber for the humidii'ying pump.

The latter is in the form of a vertically disposed tubular element 6 suspended from the shaft 1 of its electric driving motor 8. The lower end of the tubular element 6 extends down into the water in the pump supply chamber 5, and is closed except for a small central inlet 6. Adjacent its upper end, and well above the normal water level 5 in the chamber 5, the pump element 6 is provided with outlets 6". In operation the rapid rotation of the tubular element 6 causes a flow of water through the element, the water entering through the element inlet 5 and passing out of the element through its ports 6". The water issuing 'through the outlet 5" passes onto a horizontal sheet metal disc 9 coaxial with and secured to the pump element 6. Centrifugal force action causes the water discharged onto the disc 9 through the, ports 6", to move outward in a film to the edge of the disc, from which the water is discharged with a substantial velocity.

The water so discharged from the disc 9 impinges against a stationary cylindrical part I0 40 surrounding, and spaced away from the periphery of the disc 9. The cylindrical part i0 is formed with a multiplicity of discharge orifices ll shown as in the form of vertical slots extending from a level appreciably above the top side of the disc 9 to a level appreciably below the lower side or the disc. The water comes to the inner ends of the orifice slots II in finely divided form, and is in eflect atomized and moved through and discharged from the orifice slots in the form of a mist by air set in motion by fan blades or vanes l2 secured to the underside of the disc 9 and extending outwardly from the element 1 for more or less of the radial depth of the disc 9. The disc 9 and vanes it thus form the impeller of an air moving fan which has its air inlet l3 formed by the passing to the pump inlet 6.

central aperture in the bottom portion of a dished sheet metal part l4. The latter has a rim portion l5 which extends outward over, and is supported by, the upper edge of the member 5. As shown, rubber bodies It are interposed between the rim portions l5 of the member l4 and the upper edgeof the member 5, at intervals along their peripheries, so that air may pass into the space within the member 5 above the water level therein and below the member l4, through the open joint spaces between the upper edge of the receptacle member 5, and the rim portion I5.

The bodies l6 also provide a resilient noise and vibration eliminating support for the motor 8, which is supported by the member. |4 through parts including the cylindrical part III. The latter as shown is an integral down turned flange portion of a sheet metal disc l1 through which the motor shaft passes and on which the frame of the motor 8 is secured. At its lower edge, the cylindrical part III terminates in an outturned flange portion l8 secured to the member H by posts l9. At the inner side of its rim portion l5, the member I4 is shaped to provide an annular seat 20 for the base of a bell shaped member or hood 2|. The hood 2|, member l4, and receptacle 5 form a casing enclosing the motor 8, and all portions of the air and water impelling means operated by the motor. The highly humidified air and entrained water mist passing upward through the motor enclosing casing is discharged, with considerable velocity imparted thereto by the impeller element, through an outlet nozzle provided at the upper center portion of the top of the hood 2!, the moisture laden air or mist being emitted in a definite stream from the nozzle.

Advantageously, and as shown, a cup shaped screen 23, suspended by parts 23' from the member l4, extends across the path of flow of water entering the receptacle 5 through the pipe 6 and Advantageously, and as shown, the water holding capacity of the member 5 is reduced by reducing the diameter of the lower portion of the member, to thereby insure a bodily flow of water through the member 5 rapid enough to prevent the accumulation of stale orfoul water in the chamber 5 durin the normal operation of the apparatus.

The reservoir or receptacle members I and 5 are mounted on a chassis or base support 24 shown as consisting of a metal plate of rectangular form. The bottom of the member 5 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upp r side of the chassis 24 adjacent the front end of the latter, and the reservoir member is similarly secured to the upper side of the chassis adjacent its rear end. The described arrangement permits of a very compact assemblage. As shown, the.

body portion of the bottle 3 overhangs parts of.

the members 2|, l4, and 5. The chassis 24 is detachably secured to the bottom wall 21 of the humidifier casing enclosing all of the humidifying apparatus previously mentioned, except the upper end of the outlet nozzle portion 22 of the hood 2| which extends through a humidifier casing aperture, to which reference is made later. As shown, the chassis is secured to the wall 21 by means of wingnuts 25 threaded on uprising bolts 26 passing through the chassis plate and wall 21.

The humidifier casing is formed of sheet metal parts, and its bottom wall 21 is reenforced by barlike parts 28 secured to its under side, and serving as skids to facilitate movement of the unit over the floor of a room in which it may be placed or through .which it may be moved. The casing comprises a vertical body portion 29 rigidly secured at its lower edge, as by welding, to the bottom member 21, which is provided with an uprising marginal flange 21' which overlaps the lower portion of the part 29. -As shown, the member 23 is formed with an inturned flange 29' at its lower end which bears against the bottom member 21.

The casing bottom wall 21 extends horizontally outwardly from the chassis member at all sides, but preferably comprises a rear portion of greater width than its front portion. The casing space proper may be described as comprising a front bay extension 30 from a body portion 3| of greater width, and vertical depth than the bay portion 30. The wall member 29 forms the front and side walls of the bay extension 30. At the rear side of the bay extension 30, the corresponding ends of the wall member 29 are shown as terminating in inturned vertical flange portions 32. 'The roof of the bay extension 30 is latter overlaps the member 29 at the front and sides of the bay extension 30, and is continued at the rear edge of the member 33 to give stiffness to the latter, which is formed of sheet metal. The rim flange 34 is notched at 35 to receive screws 36 passing through the opposite side wall portions of the member 29, for detachably clamping thereto the cover member 33..

The body space 3| is enclosed by a casing member 31 in the form of a vertically elongated box open at its lower end, and having a lower portion of its front side cut away or notched as indicated at 38 in Fig. 5, to receive the rear portions of the wall member 29 and cover member 33. The lower end of the body portion of the member 31 seats on the bottom member 21 and is preferably formed with an inturned flange 39 to increase the seating surface and give additional stiffness to the bottom portion of the member 31. Advantageously, and as shown, the cutaway front wall of the member 31 is provided with an inturned flange 40 at its lower end, which normally seats on the cover 33 as shown in Fig. 2. As shown, the upper end wall of the member 31 is formed by a plate 4| having a downturned marginal flange 42 which is overlapped by and may be welded to the upper end of the vertical wall portion of the member 31.

The receptacle! and bottle 3 are wholly within the body space 3|, which is of suflicient vertical extent to receive a bottle 3 of the desired magnitude. The members 5, l4, and 2| are located mainly in the bay extension 30, but with the desirable compact form shown, have portions extending into the main space 3|. The depth of the bay extension 3|! may well be substantially less than that of the space 3|, and as shown, the

cover member 33 is located at a level approxithe element 9 and the discharge opening in the top of the hood 2|.

Preferably, and as shown, the nozzle member is inclined to the vertical away from the upper central portion of the hood and from the front wall portion of the member 31 above the cover lil aoraaos member to prevent impingement against the latter or" the mist discharge through the nozzle,

with a resultant deposit of water on the casing, notwithstanding that the upper end of the nozzle it is located at a level desirably low, and appreciably beneath the level oi the top of the casing member it. The nozzle 22 is spaced inwardly from the planes of the vertical walls of the bay extension till; far enough to prevent an excessive discharge of mist against, and the deposit of water on, vertical room wall or furniture surfaces with which the lower portion of the unit l ii may be in contact, no matter how the unit is disposed. in many cases, however, the unit is advantageously disposed adjacent a side wall of the room with its nozzle 22 directed away from the wall so that the humidified air and mist is directed toward the portion of the room space intermediate the ceiling and floor and intermediate the opposing side walls of the room.

The motor connection cable it may pass through, and the motor switch llti may be mounted in the wall member 29, which is desirably rigid as a result of its permanent attachment to the base member El. The appearance of the unit may be improved, and additional rigidity secured, by surrounding and attaching to the flange it of the bottom member, a fluted metal molding or trim part til. The latter may be welded to the flange ill. The various flanges to which reference has been made, add to the casing rigidity.

Further rigidity, and some additional compactness are secured, and the appearance of the unit is improved, by flattening the rear vertical corners ll of the member ill", and by flattening the front vertical corners it of the wall of the bay extension tit. In the preferred construction shown, the front vertical corners lid of the casing member are also flattened. The bottom and trim members it and it are shaped to conform to the described corner flattening of the upper portions of the unit casing.

in the normal assembled condition of the ap paratus, the casing member illl is held quite rigidly in place by the bottom member flange ill, which, as shown in Fig. 3, diverges away from the wall member it to provide angular recesses snugly receiving the lower ends of the front corner portions bit of the member till. At the vertical front side opening it in the member ii, the metal iornriing the vertical wall of that member is advantageously doubled baclr. on itself as shown in Fig. 3, to obtain additional rigidity. 'lihe separable casing member ll'l is advantageously formed with internally reinforced hand hole openings lit in its opposite sides. A reinforced hand hole opening at is formed in the member as adjacent the upper end oi the portion of that member forming the trout wall of the bay extension to facilitate bodily movement of the unit over the floor of a room in which the unit may-be used or through which it may be moved. The hand hole openings ti and 52 also provide for the ingress of air, drawn into the unit and expelled therefrom through the nozzle 22 by the action oi the air impeller blades or vanes it. Angle bar parts lit secured to the flange it at the opposite sides of the opening it, guide the casing member t'l in its movements into and out of its normal position.

The removal of the casing member til! pets the easy replacement of the water bottle 3, and permits practically all of the remaining apparatus within. the casing to be inspected, through a complete visual inspection of the apparatus requires the removal of the cover member 33 as well as the casing part tl. With the casing part ill and cover till removed, the chassis may be disconnected from, and readily removed from the casing, when its removal for cleaning, inspect-v ing, or repairing the apparatus mounted on the chassis becomes desirable.

The water bottle 3 may be an ordinary glass bottle of any convenient size. In the considerable practical use which has been made of the invention, the bottle 3 has ordinarily been of a size to hold three gallons of water. as shown, the casing is so formed and proportioned relatively to the bottle it, as to prevent the bottle from being tipped out of suitable engagement with its seat 2 by any bodily movement given the unit in the ordinary use of the latter.

The present application includes novel features generically disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 9,063, filed of even date herewith, in which those features are shown as embodied in a unit including provisions for mounting two water supply bottles in the unit at the same time.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, 1 have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment of my invention now known.

to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit or; my invention as set forth in the appended claims, and. that in some cases certain features of my invention may be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

i. A portable casing for enclosing a humidifier comprising a bottom wall member; uprising side wall members and top wall members defining, with said bottom wall, a body space and an extension space, alongside said body space and communicating therewith; the top wall member of said extension space being located at a level below the top wall member of the body space and being provided with an aperture for the discharge of humidified air; those portions of the uprising side wall members which define the body space being detachable as a unit from the remaining portions of said casing.

2. A portable casing for enclosing a humidifier, comprising a bottom wall member; side wall members and top wall members defining, with said bottom wall member, a body space and an extension space located alongside and. communicating with the body space; the top wall member of said extension space being located at a level below the top wall member of the body space and being provided with an opening therein for the discharge of humidified air; those portions or the side wall members which define the extension space being rigidly attached to said bottom wall member; and those portions of the side wall members which define said body space being separable from said bottom wall.

3. A portable casing for enclosing a humidifier, comprising a bottom wall member; side wall members and top wall members defining, with said bottom wall member, a body space and an extension space located alongside said body space and communicating therewith; the top wall memberot said extension space being located at a level below the top wall member of the body space and being formed with, an opening therein for the discharge of humidified air; a portion Advantageously and of the side wall members being rigidly attached to said bottom wall member and forming the front and side walls of said extension space; those portions of the side wall members which define the body space and the top wall member of said extension space being removable from the remaining parts of said casing,

4. A portable casing for enclosing a humidifier, comprising a bottom wall member; side wall members and top wall members defining, with said bottom wall member, a body space and an extension space located alongside said body space and communicating therewith; the top wall member of said extension space being located at a level below the top wall member of the body space and being formed with an opening therein for the discharge of humidified air; those portions of said side wall members which define the extension space being rigidly attached to said bottom wall; those portions of the side wall members which define the body space being formed as a box-like casing part open at its lower end and having a notch in the lower portion of its side adjacent said extension space and receiving the adjacent parts of the side wall members defining the extension space.

5. A portable casing for enclosing a humidifier, comprising a bottom wall member; side wall members and top wall members defining, with said bottom wall member, a body space and an extension space located alongside said body space and communicating therewith; the top wall member of said extension space being located at a level below the'top wall member of the body space and being formed with an opening therein for the discharge of humidified air; those side wall members which define the extension space being rigidly attached to said bottom wall and,

forming the front and side walls of said extension space; those side wall members which define the body. space being formed as a separable box-like casing part open-at its lower end and having a notch in the lower portion of its side adjacent said extension space and receiving the adjacent ends of the parts defining the extension space; the box-like casing part including portions extending laterally away from the adjacent portions of the extension space.

6. A portable casing for enclosing a humidifier, comprising a bottom wall; uprising and top wall portions defining, with said bottom wall, a body space and an extension space located alongside said body space and communicating therewith;

the top wall portion of said extension space be-" ing located at a level below the top wall portion of the body space and being formed with an aperture therein for the discharge of humidified air; said portions comprising an uprising part of said casing rigidly attached to said bottom wall and forming the front and side walls of said ex tension space, and a separable box-like casing part open at its lower end forming the uprising and top walls of said body space and having a notch in the lower portion of its side adjacent said extension space receiving the adjacent edges or the uprising defining portions of saidextension space; and said bottom wall having an uprising marginal fiange surrounding the lower end of said box-like part and engaging the latter.

FOWLER MANNING., 

